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Above: Habitat for Humanity is looking for a family for this Observatory Hill home. (Photo courtesy Habitat for Humanity)

Habitat for Humanity is on the lookout for a Northside family, who needs a home and isn’t afraid of a little hard work.

One of Habitat for Humanity’s first projects in the Northside area, a house in Observatory Hill, recently became available, and Habitat is accepting applications.

Though the house was planned for a family that was previously selected by the board, their financial status changed, and because Habitat requires their homebuyers to have a steady salary, the house at 3219 Orleans St. is now available.

“It’s a good neighborhood,” said Jeremy Martin, community outreach & faith relations coordinator. “This is a good step towards having a presence in the Northside. We’d like to explore opportunities there and help families there.”

The estimated sale price of the Observatory Hill home is between $78,000 and $82,000, and an estimated 30-year mortgage, which will be interest free, of between $470 and $493 each month.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry that works to eliminate poverty housing in over 100 countries and across the United States.

The organization renovates and builds homes and sets up affordable, interest-free mortgages for families in need. Habitat Pittsburgh has built homes for about 70 families since 1986.

The 1,254 square foot and three bedroom house will be finished and available to move into by spring of 2012.

Interested buyers may submit an application online. If selected by the family selection committee, they will set up interest-free mortgage payments which must be approved by the board.

If selected, families are required to put in 350 hours of work on the house that Habitat calls “Sweat Equity.”

According to Habitat, the labor gives new owners “learn to maintain their new home and fosters a sense of pride, accomplishment and responsibility to their community.”

Applications and qualification requirements are online at pittsburghhabitat.org.